How do I know if my switchboard needs upgrading?+
Older boards with ceramic fuses, no safety switches, or breakers that trip often are good candidates for an upgrade. If your board looks dated, is overcrowded, or you are renovating, it is worth having it checked. We can take a look and tell you honestly whether an upgrade is needed.
What is a safety switch and do I need one?+
A safety switch, or RCD, cuts the power very quickly if it detects electricity flowing where it should not — for example through a person. It is an important layer of protection for any home. If your switchboard does not have safety switches covering its circuits, fitting them is one of the most worthwhile electrical upgrades you can make.
Why does my power keep tripping?+
Frequent tripping usually means a circuit is overloaded, or there is a fault somewhere on it. Sometimes the board itself is the issue. We will find out which it is rather than guessing, and recommend the right fix — whether that is rebalancing circuits, repairing a fault or upgrading the board.
How does pricing work for a switchboard upgrade?+
We look at the existing board, the number of circuits and what the home needs, then give you a clear written quote before any work begins. A switchboard upgrade is a job worth doing properly, and a firm quote up front means you can make the decision with full information.
Will the power be off while you work?+
The power needs to be off for part of a switchboard upgrade, but we plan the work to keep that time as short and predictable as possible. We will let you know in advance roughly how long you will be without power so you can plan around it.
Can you upgrade the switchboard in an older home?+
Yes. Older homes are a common reason for switchboard work. We will assess the board and the connected wiring, explain what we find, and carry out the upgrade so the home meets current safety standards with a tidy, well-labelled result.
Do you label the circuits after an upgrade?+
We do. A clearly labelled board makes it easy to know which switch controls what, which is genuinely useful if a circuit ever needs to be turned off. A neat, labelled finish is part of completing the job properly.